James K. Parsons

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James K. Parsons, Colonel, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Cuisy, France, September 27, 1918, to October 11, 1918. Having volunteered to take command of a battalion, whose commander had been wounded, Colonel Parsons was knocked down by hostile shell fire, but he succeeded in rallying his men and kept them well organized, so as to withstand the heavy fire of the enemy. On the following day he assumed command of the regiment and commanded it in successful attacks, refusing to be evacuated after being so severely gassed that he was unable to see.